Ruth Duff
November 2, 1934 - August 21, 2008
Obituary
Ruth Ellen Fraser Duff
Born November 2, 1934 Died August 21, 2008
Ruth was born in Bottineau North Dakota to Duncan and Alda Fraser. She had 6 siblings, Elizabeth, Bob, Loren, Evelyn, Jean, and Marion. She was the youngest child. Ruth raised 4 of her own children. As well as being Mom Duff to Paul, Mike, Jay, Ginni, Val, many many others. She opened her home to whoever needed a place to stay.
She was preceded by her husband Leonard Peter, sons David and Tim. Survived by daughters Lori Clark and Terri Gallagher and son Roger Fichter as well as 6 grandchildren Kevin, Kim, Matt, Michelle Clark and Taylor and Cristen Gallagher.
Ruth had relinquished a son up for adoption. He searched and found his birth mother, Ruth, 3 weeks ago. Roger was able to spend some time with her two weeks prior and came to the hospital to see her before her surgery. It was such a blessing for our family that the timing was just right and we have a new special member of our family.
Ruth was very active with ‘Salmon Bay Eagles including being a Past President. She was on and award winning ritual team and enjoyed it anytime. Was known to make a great hamburger. Most of her dear friends came from Salmon Bay and she has now been reunited with them.
She was on several bowling teams throughout the years and has lots of trophy’s for her efforts. She was always able to finish a book while picking up that last spare.
She loved being up at the cabin at Granit Falls with all her friends. Lots and lots of parties down at the river with Chuck and Vi, Chuck and Betty, Jim and Ester, and many, many others.
She worked at NW Asthma Allergy for 27 years until her retirement in October 2007. She loved doing her job and was very happy when Helen joined the staff. She was hard of hearing so happily just did her work and couldn’t hear what was going on around her. When Helen was trying to talk to her and was wearing her headset she then put up her finger to tell mom she was talking again. It would drive her nuts. The office gave mom a very nice retirement party and put together a scrapbook and a emergency kit for collection withdrawls so she wouldn’t forget. She looked at it often and had fond memories.
She enjoyed traveling to Eagles conventions, bowling tournaments and vacations. She vacationed to Hawaii, Ireland, and explored her roots in Scotland with family members, as well as cruising to Alaska twice. She and David traveled a lot together. She loved to gamble and had gone to Las Vegas and Reno many times. She liked to visit Lee Hall who moved just outside Las Vegas. Recently went with Lori and React to Stanwood and also to Tulalip Casino with Lori and Jan McManus and had a great time.
Ruth was an avid reader. After retirement she would read a book a day at least. She would read almost anything and in the last month finished a 1600 page book in 3 days.
She went into the hospital on Tuesday, August 19th to have surgery on her aorta aneurysm. She had been advised many times over the years to stop smoking and drinking to stop the growth of it but didn’t have much luck with that. The surgery was very long and difficult but successful. The Dr’s did a wonderful job. After she got to ICU the trouble started. The nurses worked for 2 days doing the very best they could. But it was just not enough. She never regained consciousness.
She died Thursday about 11am surrounded by her family.
We will all miss her so much. Mom we love you!
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Ruth was a very special lady. We will keep her family in our thoughts and prayers and may the support of family and friends help at this difficult time.
I have had the pleasure of working with and knowing Ruth for the past 14 years. I so enjoyed her sense of humor and will miss knowing I can enjoy a good chuckle with her. My prayers and thoughts are with your family during this time. Sincerely, Lori Jo
I am so sorry for your loss. Ruth was well loved and will be sorely missed.
To Ruth’s family – There are many of us who have very good memories of Ruth’s time with Northwest Asthma. I knew her for almost 10 years and knew that she was always someone you could count on. There are many employees that worked with Ruth for many more years and Ruth was very much a part of our extended family. Dr. Furukawa enjoys telling people how Ruth was one of their first employees and he ‘stole’ her from her previous employer. I was glad she had a year of retirement to enjoy her family. My condolences to you all. Diane
I am so sorry, she was taken so suddenly and far too soon. I worked for a number of years at NWAA with Ruth. She was always helpful and kind. She touched many lifes and will be missed by many also.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Ruth’s family. We have known Ruth and her family since before she moved from ND, and sincerely hope her family will soon be able to recall what a wonderful person Ruth was. God bless. Faith Rigers
Sorry to hear of your lost. Ruth has been a part of our lives as long as I can remeber. She will be missed. Our thoughts are will you. I am sure she and Helen are looking down on us all, laughing!!! They know something we don’t!!! They are at peace……..we miss them both.
To Ruth’s Family – I knew Ruth for 20 years from working with her at Northwest Asthma. She was funny, kind and a very hard worker. She will be missed. My heart goes out to you.
Mom Duff, we Love You and are going to miss you so very much, God wanted more Sunshine in Heaven so he called upon you! Sunshine and Onreness is a good combination. Love, Suzie and Shel
For the past 30 years Ruth was one of my best friends and surrogate mom. She was truely one of the kindest people that I have ever had the pleasure to call my friend. She opened not only her home to me so that I was able to attend college, she also opened her heart to me. Ruth had a great sense of humor and boy, could she tell a story with the best of them. I loved spending time with her. We took many trips together and always had a great time. On her 70th birthday we went to Hawaii, and she got to meet mt other half of my family. Ruth always made me feel loved and gave me the encouragement and support that I needed during many trials and tribulations of my life. She was always there for me in times both good and bad. When my husband was in the hospital for many months, it was at Ruths house that I stayed. After his long hospital stay, she sorted through all of the bills for us, and made sense of the chaos. Because of Ruths kindness to me, I now have a career and am a much more productive person in society. Words alone cannot express how much I will miss her every day. I think that she is much happier now as she was very saddened that so many of her family and close friends had passed, she is now reunited. You will always be in my heart, and you are an integral part of my soul. I love and miss you Ruth.
For the past 30 years Ruth was one of my best friends and surrogate mom. She was truely one of the kindest people that I have ever had the pleasure to call my friend. She opened not only her home to me so that I was able to attend college, she also opened her heart to me. Ruth had a great sense of humor and boy, could she tell a story with the best of them. I loved spending time with her. We took many trips together and always had a great time. On her 70th birthday we went to Hawaii, and she got to meet my other half of my family. Ruth always made me feel loved and gave me the encouragement and support that I needed during many trials and tribulations of my life. She was always there for me in times both good and bad. When my husband was in the hospital for many months, it was at Ruths house that I stayed. After his long hospital stay, she sorted through all of the bills for us, and made sense of the chaos. Because of Ruths kindness to me, I now have a career and am a much more productive person in society. Words alone cannot express how much I will miss her every day. I think that she is much happier now as she was very saddened that so many of her family and close friends had passed, she is now reunited. You will always be in my heart, and you are an integral part of my soul. I love and miss you Ruth.
To the Family,
May each of you find comfort in knowing that God is ”near to those that are broken at heart; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.” Psalm 34;18 He has promised to ”actually swallow up death forever…and certainly wipe the tears from all faces.” Take care,
I loved Aunt Ruthie’s visits to ND when I was a child. A few years ago my family’s visit to ND and Aunt Ruthie’s coincided. It was wonderful to see and spend time with her. Her sense of humor was memorable. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.